Botham forced to retire

Multi-talented: Liam Botham

4:17PM BST 17 Aug 2005

Liam Botham, son of former cricketer Ian Botham, has been forced to retire from rugby league at the age of 27.

Botham, who was beginning to make his name in the game after previously trying his hand at cricket and rugby union, has been troubled since last season with a neck injury and, after discussions with medical specialists, has decided it is in his best interests to hang up his boots.

The winger-turned second row forward recently joined Wigan from Leeds and had been tipped by coach Ian Millward as a potential future international.

"I had a neck injury last season and needed six to eight weeks rest with that," Botham said.

"Everything was going great but against Warrington I went into a tackle and had shooting pains.

"I didn't think too much of it and I played against Saints and took a knock before half-time and it got worse. A final knock made the pain worse, I went to have a scan and have seen a neuro-specialist and he said give it a rest.

"The problem is it may come back and you have to weigh the options up, it could be worse. I have children to think about and I have put myself first for once. I have had 12 great years in sport, through cricket, rugby union and then league. I wish I had come to rugby league earlier.

"I could have played for another year and maybe fingers crossed I wouldn't get another knock, but you can't play this sport if you are not 100 per cent."

Botham began to follow in his father's footsteps in 1996 when he played cricket for Hampshire but then switched to rugby union with West Hartlepool, Cardiff, Newcastle and Leeds before moving to Super League.

He joined Leeds Rhinos in 2003 after deciding to switch to rugby league from their sister club the Tykes and also had a spell on loan with London Broncos before linking up with the Warriors, for whom he made five starts.